Our Subscription Box Favorites for 2016!
We’re starting a new monthly post highlighting our favorite discoveries from subscription boxes! Here are our favorite items from all of 2016:
Lindsey’s Favorite:
The Item: Miya Company Sauce Dishes (2 dishes)
The Cost: $4 each
From: June 2016’s Hamptons Lane (Coupon: Use coupon code Subscription10 to save $10 off your first box!)
Why I love it: Wow. Looking back over everything I’ve reviewed in the past year, it’s so hard to pick just one favorite item! Robb Vices introduced me to Bitterman Fleur de Sel, which has become a kitchen staple I don’t think I ever want to live without. Thanks to Plated, Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, Home Chef, Gobble, and Saucefly, I had some amazing standout meals. There are even some wines, whiskies, and coffees that I tried in 2016 that I still think about. My favorite item, though, has to be this set of sauce dishes that I received in Hampton’s Lane’s Sushi Box. I love the simple, geometric design, and I use them all the time for everything from soy sauce to ketchup. Best of all, they’re dishwasher and microwave safe, and they still look brand new despite regular use!
Anna Rodriguez’s Favorite:
The Item: Allen Bucket Handbag by Sorial (No longer available)
The Cost: $150
From: 5th Avenue Style Limited Edition Summer Time Box
Why I love it: This is probably the most beautiful thing I got last year – I absolutely love it so much. I used it all summer, and honestly, I will probably break it out again this summer. It’s great quality, so luxe, and the perfect size.
Ragan’s Favorite:
The Item: Red Apple Lipstick in Rebel! (full size!)
The Cost: $23.50
From: November 2016’s Vegan Cuts Beauty Box
Why I Love It: First off, red lipstick is my favorite beauty item of all time and I am always thrilled to receive it in a subscription box. Plus, this is just such a perfect color of red for me. When I originally wrote the review for this box, I swatched the lipstick and tried it on for a few minutes. But since then, I keep coming back to this. It is super moisturizing and it wears really well throughout the whole day, even after eating. (It is also vegan and gluten free if either of those is of concern to you.) I don’t think I will ever use up a full size lipstick (not when I have hundreds to choose from), but if there was any chance at all of that happening to one of my lipsticks, it would be this one.
Haley’s Favorite:
The Item: Dave’s Sweet Tooth Toffee, Peanut Butter Crunch, 4 oz
The Cost: $5.99
From: September 2016’s Mitten Crate (Coupon: Get your first box for $24 with code msa24)
Why I love it: This is the best toffee I’ve ever had, and each flavor has crushed roasted almonds (almost powdery) that coat the pieces and give a great texture and flavor. Their recipe doesn’t get stuck in my teeth and isn’t hard to chew! Plus, there’s a perfect chocolate-to-toffee ratio (a.k.a. lots of chocolate). I previously tried Dark Chocolate and the Peanut Butter Crunch, also from Mitten Crate, and plan to order pretty much one of everything they make.
Bekki’s Favorite:
The Item: Flora Fauna Desk Calendar
The Cost: $15
From: Revel Box Winter Box (Coupon: Save 20% off your first box with code MSA20)
Why I love it: This little desk calendar is so cute. I love the size of it (about the size of a CD case…for those of you that remember them…) with adorable prints on each month! The backside of the calendar page for the month is perfect for doodling and writing to-dos, as Night Owl Paper Goods puts it. This will be perfect for the new year! The prints are so cheerful that they make me smile every time I look at the calendar!
Nancy’s Favorite:
The Item: Pusheen Weekend Bag
The Cost: The subscription costs $43.95 + $6 US Shipping
From: Pusheen Box Summer Box
Why I love it: This has been my most used, most practical, and most beloved subscription box item of 2016. The duffel is lightweight yet super durable, plus it holds the perfect amount for a day trip or weekend excursion. It works as carry-on baggage for flights, too! I also love it because it’s the envy of all my friends!
Nich’s Favorite:
The Item: Scandi Scarf
The Cost: $34.00
From: December 2016’s Aster Market
Why I love it: This black and white patterned scarf keeps me warm and stylish. I love how it pairs nicely with my winter accessories and coats. This has become my favorite scarf!
Sarah’s Favorite:
The Item: Father Christmas – Whipped Cream
The Cost: $10.99 (for 4 oz.)
From: Fortune Cookie Soap Winter Box
Why I love it: I loved the Narnia “Through the Wardrobe” theme of the winter Fortune Cookie Soap Box and this was one of my favorite scents. The cream was really moisturizing and the scent was a nice mix of vanilla and juniper. It was the perfect product to get at the beginning of winter because it just smelled like Christmas! This was also my first introduction to the Fortune Cookie Soap moisturizing cream and I loved the sample so much that I stocked up in a few different scents!
Andy’s Favorite:
The Item: BattlBox 70% Wool Military Blanket
The Cost: $33.99
From: December 2016’s BattlBox (Coupon: Use code MYSUBTEN to save 10% off your first box!)
Why I Love It: This blanket is so huge, so soft, so warm. I’m tall, so finding a blanket that I can fully wrap myself in can be challenging. When I opened up December’s Battlbox, I looked past the expensive knives and backpack and unfurled this beauty straight away. I grew up with similar military spec blankets but they were all passed down from family, often had been patched up, usually were scratchy, and always too small. I’ve already curled up with this at home and I’m going to throw it in my pack for a little extra warmth in my sleeping bag when I head up into the Laurel Highlands for some winter camping in the coming months.
Emily’s Favorite:
The Item: Marimekko Räsymatto Rectangular Plate, Set of 2
The Cost: $25 each
From: Fall 2016’s Norsebox
Why I love it: I love the print, overall design, and quality of these petite plates. They are the perfect size for a cup of coffee and couple cookies and suit the Fika theme (the Swedish term for taking a break, often accompanied by coffee and a treat) of the box so well. They were a great surprise because I already have a small collection of this pattern from Marimekko!
Jessica’s Favorite:
The Item: Chroma Type 201 Paring Knife
The Cost: $54.95
From: July 2016’s CrateChef (Coupon: Save 10% off your first box! with coupon code ADDICTION10)
Why I love it: I love this knife’s design and functionality. It feels so great in your hand and I’ve been grabbing for it every time I work in the kitchen. It has become my go-to knife. 6 months later and it’s still very sharp. This is my favorite subscription box find from 2016.
Shawn’s Favorite:
The Item: Intelligent Nutrients Renewing Oil Serum (travel size)
The Cost: $33.00
From: April 2016’s Wellness Tribe (Coupon: Save 15% off any subscription with code WELLNESSADDICTION15)
Why I love it: I’m in love with the smell of this – it’s kind of grassy and herby which I’m sure not everyone will love but I really do! Plus, a little goes a long way – I put a pump of oil on my face at night and it smooths into my skin beautifully. My skin looks and feels wonderful and it’s made from “organic oils such as safflower, argan, kernel, grape, raspberry seed, pumpkin, black cumin and acai.” I couldn’t ask for more.
Sara’s Favorite:
The Item: Silva Boots in Black
The Cost: retail $59.95 (VIP price: $39.95)
From: October 2016’s ShoeDazzle (Coupon: Get your first pair for $10 + free shipping or Get two pairs for $39.95 + free shipping!, no coupon required, just use this link)
Why I love it: I have worn these boots several times a week since receiving them! They pair well with denim and leggings, and I really love the knitting and flaps. And they have become my go-to shoe when I know I’ll need comfort. I recently wore them all day walking around a rainy NYC, and my feet stayed dry the whole time. Style and function are always a winning combination for my wardrobe!
Lacey’s Favorite:
The Item: SheaMoisture Baby Shampoo & Bath Milk
The Cost: $2.45
From: October 2016’s Target Baby Box
I’ve been buying this in the full size since the sample ran out, and I don’t think I can live without it now! The Manuka Honey & Provence Lavender scent just smells so good! It is a bit drying as a shampoo, but I follow up with Johnson’s No More Tangles Conditioner on my son and it’s perfect. Overall, the Target Baby Box was my favorite box of 2016 – I would happily buy this exact box every month for $7. Almost every product was a home run. I really hope they do another one soon!
Anna Reilly’s Favorite:
The Item: Tribe Alive Ring
The Cost: $25.00
From: Hope Supply
Why I love it: I wear it almost every day – it’s simple and modern and versatile. Plus, I love the ethical story behind the company.
Eric’s Favorites:
The Item: Line Of Trade Robe
The Cost: Value $40-50?
From: Bespoke Post – “Rise” (Coupon: Save 25% off your first box with coupon code ADDICT25)
Why I love it: It’s soft, but has the material of a hoodie on the arms and chest – It’s very comfortable.
The Item: Stimpy Coffee Mug
The Cost: Value $15-20?
From: Summer 2016’s The Nick Box
Why I love it: I grew up on Ren & Stimpy – and still love to watch episodes every once in a while. I can only hope that they will give us a matching Ren mug someday.
The Item: Kenny/Mysterion Reversible Hoodie
The Cost: Value $35+?
From: Loot Crate South Park Limited Edition Crate
Why I love it: The hoodie is really comfortable. I’d consider that a really high-quality feeling hoodie as well. It’s a 60/40 Cotton /Polyester blend – since it’s reversible, it doesn’t have a lining, but it’s actually very warm – easily wearable for cold weather.
The Item: Mr. Meeseeks Hoodie
The Cost: Loot Wearables costs $14.99 a month with free shipping
From: December 2016’s Loot Wearables by Loot Crate (Coupon: Save 10% off any length subscription (Saves over $16 on an annual subscription), or $3 off month-to-month with coupon code ADDICTION or SAVE3)
Why I love it: This hoodie is an ode to one of my favorite Rick and Morty episodes – Meeseeks and Destroy!
Liz’s Favorites:
It’s almost impossible to pick all my favorite items for 2016, but I thought it would be great to highlight my favorite skincare discoveries this year!
The Item: Belif the True Cream Aqua Bomb
The Cost: $38
From: October 2016’s Play! by Sephora
Why I love it: This is my favorite discoveries from Sephora this year! It’s such a lightweight gel/cream, and it absorbs almost instantly, and leaves my skin feeling so soft. (Plus it’s free of any ingredient you may want to avoid!) A+!
The Item: TATCHA Enriching Renewal Cream
The Cost: $185
From: December 2016’s Byrdie Beauty Limited Edition Box
Why I love it: This cream is luxe, gentle, and super hydrating – just fantastic in general. I’ve treated myself to this cream once before, and when the jar ran out (after me scraping the sides to not miss a drop) I could definitely tell a difference in my skin. (My skin is apparently addicted to pricey and fabulous skincare cream.)
The Item: Sunday Riley Tidal Enzyme Brightening Water Cream
The Cost: $65
From: Rachel Zoe Box of Style Winter Box (Coupon: Use coupon code MSABOSF10 to save $10 off your first box!)
Why I love it: This cream is SO hydrating! It’s infused with cucumber so that scent adds to the spa-like refreshing vibe of the cream. You can use it as a day cream, night cream, or even add a little over makeup to hydrate your skin and give you a dewy finish.
image from Sephora
The Item: Lancôme Visionnaire Nuit Beauty Sleep Perfector
The Cost: $89
From: February 2016’s Allure Beauty Box (Coupon: Save $5 off your first month, no coupon required, just use this link)
Why I love it: This is a hydrating gel that is lightweight and gives your skin a dewy look after applying it. I absolutely love how my skin felt after putting this on. It is scented with a fragrance (which I normally don’t like in facial skincare products) but the scent is very subtle. This was a tiny sample included in the Allure Beauty Box – I think I got 3 uses out of it, but that was enough to actually see an improvement in my skin! (That pretty much never happens!) I bought the full-size version a few days later!
What do you think of our favorites for 2016? And what were your favorite discoveries this year?
Written by Liz Cadman
I loved all of the pairs of sneakers I received from Adidas Avenue A! I had no pairs to wear casually (only a couple for working out) and now I actually have a sneaker wardrobe. Fortune Cookie Soap was my favorite sub box discovery of 2016 and I loved all of the scents in the Winter box. I bought a bunch of stuff from them after trying their products from the subscription. I also loved the Kitchen Sink bar from Chococurb, and bought a bunch from the Mayana website to give out as Christmas presents!
Love this 2016 wrap-up. Thanks, Liz & crew!
I think I’m the only one who doesn’t like the Sunday Riley Tidal cream. It “pills” on me (i.e., rolls up in tiny little balls of product), whether I have a freshly exfoliated face or not. I gave it 3 tries, but each one was a bust. I’m glad others love it, though! 🙂
I just discovered subscription boxes this August/September and I can say I had both a joyful Christmas and birthday (January). I was able to purchase the LE PopSugar’s Woman box. I love the flannel throw in it sooo much. I sleep with it every night. I also snagged the great BF deal and loved the Nov and Dec boxes. I was able to get the Happy Rebel Winter Box, my daughter sleeps with that throw every night. I just received the HOS Winter box and OMG, that necklace is dynamite! Thanks to the 25% off coupon, I am getting a DD purse for Mother’s Day. I have really enjoyed most everything in my boxes and I would not have known about most of the boxes or the great deals if it was not for MSA. Thank you so much!!!
I love that Pehr throw too! I love it so much that I bought a second LE box as it was cheaper than buying the throw by itself. They have gotten even softer with use. I keep one on my bed and one on the couch. The throw and the Pehr bin were my favorite items from 2016.
I agree with Kimberly; it’s so interesting to see everyone’s favorites. I have discovered so many fun things from subscription boxes. It’s hard to pick favorites, but some of the items I especially liked were the plates and mugs from Globein this year. I have also enjoyed many of the items in the Winter Rachel Zoe Box of Style and several items from different Popsugar Must Have boxes.
Thanks MSA for all the great reviews that past year!
So hard to narrow down favorites as many boxes did an excellent job last year. My favorite find was Sommer House granola from Robb Vices. I gave as Christmas presents and signed up for the monthly delivery plan. Yummy Bazaar and Green Chef are two of my favorites. Customer service is excellent and deliver quality products and I feel I got my monies worth. Thank you MSA for your reviews. Made my life easier and pretty fun.
What a fun post! It’s interesting to me to see different people’s tastes. There are some items here that I would have swapped away, and some, like the Stimpy mug and the Pusheen duffle bag (Pusheen in sunglasses = twice the cuteness!) that will be on my list of things to look for (once I get my swapping stuff all set up, anyway!)
My favorite practical item this year is Estee Lauder night serum from ipsy. It got me to start actually taking care of my (no longer young) skin beyond just washing and some lotion. Also, the bottle will probably last me six months or so. Oh, and the tiny rubber spatula for getting every last bit of product out of a bottle or tube. I don’t remember the brand name, but it was from Beauty Box 5.
Favorite fun things are the Pusheen scarf from the winter Pusheen box, and the December ipsy makeup bag, the shimmery pink hairy one that I know a lot of people don’t like. I use it as a case for my phone, which means I see it and pick it up several times a day.
My 13yo daughter received that one and she loves it. She uses it as a little clutch with her red Christmas dress that doubles as her Valentine’s dress also. 🙂
Lacey – SheaMoisture Baby products are some of my favorites, too! I got a chamomile & frankincense shampoo and body wash a year or two ago and haven’t been able to live with any other brand since, too! It’s fun having a fellow reviewer with a baby my kid’s age. =]
Haha! Makes me smile to know that your lil guy is running around smelling amazing too 😉